Activist investors turn their backs on troubled retailers April 15, 2019 While activist investors are known for their interest in underperforming businesses, there is one sector in the UK so troubled that even opportunistic shareholders are now turning their backs: high street retailers. Such are the difficulties facing Britain’s bricks-and-mortar retail giants that many have become "too distressed to attract activist interest", according to a new [...]
Retail veteran Terry Duddy set to replace Bucher as Debenhams boss April 14, 2019 Retail veteran Terry Duddy is being lined up to take over as chief executive of department store chain Debenhams as administrators pin their hopes on the troubled firm’s interim chairman to lead a major restructuring plan. Read more: Revealed: All 15 LK Bennett stores set to close in Chinese sale Current chief executive Sergio Bucher is [...]
Sports Direct takes another swipe at Debenhams in share buyback April 11, 2019 Sports Direct took a further swipe at Debenhams this morning amid growing speculation that Mike Ashley is mulling legal action to remove the retailer’s current administrators. Read more: Mike Ashley considers legal action against Debenhams In a note to the London Stock Exchange the sportswear group announced a new share buyback programme, which it said was [...]
Sports Direct accuses Debenhams administrators of conflict of interest April 10, 2019 Sports Direct doubled down on its calls for the administration of Debenhams to be reversed this afternoon, as it mulls potential legal action following Mike Ashley’s failed bid to take control of the retail chain. Lawyers from the sportswear retailer said today that the appointment of administrators and the subsequent pre-pack administration only happened because Ashley’s own [...]
Mike Ashley’s Sports Direct considers legal action against Debenhams after lenders take control April 10, 2019 Sports Direct is considering legal action against Debenhams after the retailer collapsed into administration, wiping out shareholders. Retail tycoon Mike Ashley branded the pre-pack administration a “national scandal” yesterday after he failed to gain control of the department store chain. Read more: Ashley lashes out as Debenhams enters administration Sports Direct’s deputy chief financial officer [...]
Mike Ashley could use a lesson in subtlety after Debenhams April 10, 2019 Britain's leading retail maverick Mike Ashley is known for using intemperate language – but in his reaction to the collapse of long-term target Debenhams yesterday, he excelled himself. Ashley issued a statement in which he savaged politicians and regulators for being “as effective as a chocolate teapot”, and called for advisers on the deal to [...]
‘National scandal’: Mike Ashley lashes out as Debenhams falls into clutches of lenders April 9, 2019 Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley has launched a scathing attack on the board of Debenhams this afternoon as the British high street stalwart fell into administration. Read more: Debenhams falls into administration as lenders take over The billionaire called on authorities to reverse the administration process that started today and reiterated his calls for advisers on [...]
Debenhams falls into administration as Sports Direct fails with £200m equity offer April 9, 2019 Embattled department store chain Debenhams has fallen into the hands of its lenders, entering administration despite an 11th-hour bid from Sports Direct billionaire Mike Ashley to keep it public. Read more: Debenhams shares suspended as it falls into clutches of lenders Although the retailer’s 165 stores will continue to trade, some 50 outlets have already been flagged [...]
Debenhams shares suspended as it prepares to fall into administration April 9, 2019 Debenhams’ shares were suspended this morning as it prepares to go into administration, falling into the hands of lenders after rejecting an improved equity offer from Sports Direct. Read more: Debenhams shares slump as shareholders risk losing everything The Financial Conduct Authority temporarily suspended trading of the under-fire department store “at the request of the [...]
Sports Direct says Debenhams has rejected £150m equity offer as pre-pack administration looms April 8, 2019 Sports Direct has said that Debenhams spurned a £150m equity offer from Mike Ashley, in a sign that the embattled retailer is inching closer towards a pre-pack administration. Read more: Debenhams shares slump as shareholders risk losing everything In a statement this afternoon Sports Direct said that the department store chain, which is set to hand ownership [...]